Cocaine and alcohol, separately, are dangerously addictive drugs. Both are psychologically addicting, which means users can become mentally reliant on the drugs. However, the two can be even more dangerous when combined. Quickly, excessive use of cocaine and alcohol can derail someone’s life.
The Dangers of Cocaine and Alcohol
Peer pressure can often make people engage in poor decision-making. For example, at parties, cocaine and alcohol use can get out of control very fast. Even if you think you have your drug and alcohol habits under control, they can have devastating consequences.
A major problem exists in how the two drugs interact. Cocaine runs through the body quickly, leading many to ingest the drug in back-to-back sessions. Binge drinking often occurs in party environments as well.
Furthermore, polysubstance abuse exacerbates the side effects of both. Taken together, users might experience unwanted, unknown, and dangerous consequences. Ultimately, cocaine and alcohol can turn deadly due to the risk of overdosing or alcohol poisoning.
Signs of an overdose or alcohol poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Irregular pulse
- Blue coloring of the skin
- Choking
- Passing out
- Seizures
- Rise in blood pressure
- Rise in body temperature
A significant risk of these two drugs is that they change the way your mind works. Cocaine impacts your dopamine receptors, changing how you perceive pleasure. Likewise, prolonged abuse of alcohol can have permanent psychological repercussions.
Signs that you or your loved one might have developed an addiction to cocaine or alcohol include:
- Poor finances
- Social isolation
- Risky behaviors
- Choosing to party or use drugs over other obligations
- Irregular mood behaviors and sleeping patterns
- Evidence of cocaine and alcohol residue
Cocaine and Alcohol Recovery
If you think that you have a problem with cocaine and alcohol, you may realize that you need help. Something that you’ll learn in a drug and alcohol rehab is why you need to be abstinent from both substances.
One of the reasons many people relapse is because they think only one of these substances is the issue. The reality is that due to how the brain works, it’s crucial that you live a sober, substance-free lifestyle.
The brain is designed to wire neurons together for all of the various habits that you set up. Abusing alcohol and cocaine together wires your mind to want both of these substances at the same time.
Many people relapse because they think they can drink and not do cocaine or vice versa. To recover fully, you’ll need to learn how to manage your life in a better way without either of these substances.
Steps to Recovery Can Help
Steps to Recovery offers Pennsylvania addiction recovery services here in Levittown, and we help the surrounding areas as well. Our staff is here to help you learn that it’s possible to live an incredible life without drugs or alcohol.
Through our program, you’ll regain hope and begin to mend the relationships with your loved ones as well as yourself. Some of the treatments we offer here include:
- Addiction counseling
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Intensive outpatient services
- Partial hospitalization program
Get a handle on your cocaine and alcohol use before it derails your life. You deserve the best care available, so call us today at 267.719.8528.
